Northern California Folk-Rock Festival poster 1969 – Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
This superb Northern California Folk-Rock Festival poster was created to promote the second folk-rock festival held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The fact a second festival was ever held was a huge surprise to many.
The first Northern California Folk-Rock Festival was held at Family Park over two days. It included a stellar line-up of artists including The Doors, Country Joe & The Fish, Jefferson Airplane, The Animals, and Big Brother and the Holding Company formed part of the line-up. The event drew a significant and enthusiastic crowd with estimates suggesting between 80,000 and 100,000 attended the show. It was a much larger crowd than anticipated putting a strain on resources and leading to overcrowding.
Worse still, the event had been marred by a huge influx of PCP. Reportedly, the Hells Angels were selling Angel Dust, which they referred to as “Hog,” resulting in 1,000 people being admitted to the emergency room during the show. Instead of being remembered for the 60s peace and love counterculture values and the great music performed over the weekend, the overriding memory of the San Jose Festival is one of a concert that overwhelmed its venue, ran wildly out of control, and suffered many drug-related casualties.
In the aftermath of the concert, the Santa Clara City and County officials vowed future festivals would not take place. An online article posted by Corry342 on the Rock Prosopography 101 website, claims that the promoters managed to rent the Fairgrounds under false pretenses, and then started to promote Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin as the event headliners, even though they had neither under contract. The outcome was the festival ended up taking place and was well attended, but the officials made sure the 1969 event was the last.
Once again, the promoter Bob Blodgett organised a superb cast. The 1969 festival poster lists The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jefferson Airplane, The Chambers Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Eric Burdon, Spirit, Canned Heat, Buffy Sainte-Marie, The Youngbloods, Steve Miller, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal, Noel Redding, Lee Michaels, Blues Image, Santana, Aum, Elvin Bishop, Poco, People!, Linn County, The Loading Zone, Sweet Linda Divine, Cat Mother, Doc Watson & New Lost City Ramblers and Sable.
However, according to the metroactive website, prior to the show “Radio station KSJO was warning listeners that the acts advertised on the poster for 1969 festival – particularly Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix – were not going to appear, as they were booked elsewhere at the time.” The situation resulted in a lawsuit – paid for by Led Zeppelin – against the promoter. Blodgett retaliated by offering Hendrix $30,000 to fly in by Lear Jet and play for half an hour. It was an unprecedented amount of money at the time and one that would see Hendrix turn up and play.
Hendrix was now officially listed as playing and joined the incredible festival lineup for the long weekend: The acts were:
Friday, May 23rd 1969
Headlights
Lyn County
Pulse
Aum
The Youngbloods
Steve Miller
Buffie St Maire
Chambers Brothers
Saturday, May 24th 1969 – Afternoon
Sable
Fritz
New Lost City Ramblers
Doc Watson
Elvin Bishop
Chuck Berry
Canned Heat
Saturday, May 24th 1969 – Evening
Headlights
Pulse
Santana
Eric Burdon
Jefferson Airplane
Sunday, May 25th 1969
Mixed Company
Loading Zone
Blues Image
Lee Michaels
Taj Mahal
Noel Redding
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix at the North California Folk Rock Festival May 25, 1969
At the end of May 1969, the Jimi Hendrix Experience embarked on a four-date West Coast tour. The tour was slotted in between ongoing recording sessions for the forthcoming and as yet untitled third album Electric Ladyland and the mixing of live tracks for a proposed live album.The dates included gigs at the Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver on May 22 (which was cancelled), the Seattle Centre Coliseum on May 23, San Diego Sports Arena on May 24 and the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose California on May 25.
The North California Folk Rock Festival, held from May 23-25, featured notable bands like Jefferson Airplane, Chuck Berry, Canned Heat, and Santana. Hendrix’s set was remarkable, taking place a day after their famous San Diego performance.
The performance starts with Hendrix inviting the crowd to ‘create their own little world’, leading into a soulful rendition of ‘Hear My Train a Comin”. His guitar work is mesmerizing, and the crowd is in awe. The song evolves into a captivating jam, showcasing Hendrix’s musical prowess. The energy continues with ‘Fire,’ where Hendrix’s solo takes unexpected turns, creating a unique experience.
Then comes ‘Spanish Castle Magic,’ a standout version with Mitchell’s driving drums and Hendrix’s experimental riffing. The performance is enthralling, leaving the audience in awe. ‘Red House’ follows, featuring a masterful guitar solo, demonstrating Hendrix’s finesse.
‘I Don’t Live Today’ follows, a tribal drum-driven track that takes a bizarre turn with psychedelic sounds, showcasing the band’s experimental side. ‘Foxy Lady’ receives a fiery treatment, with a scorching solo and an extended jam leading seamlessly into ‘Purple Haze.’
The highlight is the 20-minute journey through ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return),’ exploring various musical themes. Hendrix’s improvisation skills shine, creating a unique atmosphere. The band effortlessly transitions through different tunes, including ‘Message to Love’ and ‘Sunshine of Your Love,’ before returning to the ‘Voodoo Child’ theme, ending the show on a high note.
This recording captures the essence of Hendrix and the Experience during their final days. Despite the approaching end of the band in 1969, they continued to deliver incredible music and unforgettable performances.
it captures Hendrix’s cosmic blues style beautifully.
Gina Arnold is a Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University.
By all reports, the free festival drew approximately 20,000 people and was both a madhouse and a rousing success. On the plus side, both festivals were reviewed positively in the pages of the San Jose Mercury, Rolling Stone and the Spartan Daily; Mercury reporter Rick Carroll wrote that local businesses boomed and that—despite hippies wandering around “making love” in people’s yards—the atmosphere was peaceful.
This poster was created by Linda Segul ro promote the second northern California Folk Rock Festival in 1969.
